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Marcepan
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 11 Feb 2014
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PostPosted: 20:45 - 05 Nov 2015    Post subject: Kit upgrade (helmet, boots) Reply with quote
Hey guys,

Winter is pretty much here and getting my visor all steamed up is just too common now. Also, vents are letting too much cold air in even when closed so I've decided to change my MDS for something nicer. Basically I'm looking for advice here, full-face, pinlock ready (would be nice if included!), good air control inside, price between £100 and £200. Suggestions?

Found this recently:

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_cat/1429

Oh, and I'd like to buy online as well, is that good idea when comes to choosing the right size?


Other piece I definitely need is boots. Here I'm really not sure what to go for, something for about £100 would be nice, at least ankle hight, waterproof and relativity casual (or at least normal) looking?

Thanks a lot for any suggestions!
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Shaft
World Chat Champion



Joined: 27 Dec 2010
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PostPosted: 00:11 - 06 Nov 2015    Post subject: Re: Kit upgrade (helmet, boots) Reply with quote
Marcepan wrote:

Oh, and I'd like to buy online as well, is that good idea when comes to choosing the right size?


As said, it's a shit idea.

I recently spent 3 hours in a dedicated helmet shop, finding a lid that fitted me properly, then when the one I ordered turned up, it still didn't fit correctly and it took another two weeks to get the right liner.

You need to go to a B&M shop and try stuff on.
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NJD
World Chat Champion



Joined: 11 Mar 2015
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PostPosted: 00:45 - 06 Nov 2015    Post subject: Re: Kit upgrade (helmet, boots) Reply with quote
Marcepan wrote:
Basically I'm looking for advice here, full-face, pinlock ready (would be nice if included!), good air control inside, price between £100 and £200. Suggestions?

Found this recently:

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_cat/1429


Could get an HJC RPHA ST for £199 from J&S or an HJC RPHA 10 Plus for £120-£160 from lidsdirect.

Also depends on your bike and riding position as different helmets have vents designed for more sports tucked in style or 3/4 and upright position. HJC RPHA 10 plus being the earlier and RPHA ST being the latter.

Walk into a local shop (such as J&S) and try some on.

Marcepan wrote:
Oh, and I'd like to buy online as well, is that good idea when comes to choosing the right size?


Buying a helmet online is only a good idea when you've already tried it on in a shop and got the correct size and fit and wanted a cheaper price.. on the flip side to that sportsbikeshop are meant to be really good at packaging helmets, the helmet box inside a bigger box.. or so I read so if you do end buying of the net once you've tried one on their defiantly one of the retailers to consider.

Marcepan wrote:
Other piece I definitely need is boots. Here I'm really not sure what to go for, something for about £100 would be nice, at least ankle hight, waterproof and relativity casual (or at least normal) looking?


All depends on what you feel comfortable with, could go down the ankle boot route as you can practically get mini versions of full boots such as the Alpinestar SMX-2 or there's more F1 style boots with little protection.

Then there's full race style boots on a budget, I had a pair of Frank Thomas boots from J&S for about £70-80.. learnt to ride in them and lasted me through winter without any bad memories (ie; wet foot, cold foot etc).
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Marcepan
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 11 Feb 2014
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PostPosted: 23:21 - 06 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ok, if that's the case I'll try visiting few shops tomorrow, but I'm afraid they won't have stuff I'd like.
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Shaft
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Joined: 27 Dec 2010
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PostPosted: 23:32 - 06 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Marcepan wrote:
Ok, if that's the case I'll try visiting few shops tomorrow, but I'm afraid they won't have stuff I'd like.


What if the stuff you like doesn't fit or do the job properly?
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20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
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JP7
World Chat Champion



Joined: 22 Dec 2008
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PostPosted: 13:25 - 07 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Depending on where you are in the world, Sportsbikeshop will let you visit their warehouse and try stuff on. They have a little customer-facing shop at their site, and will fetch stuff from the warehouse. They're in Boston, Lincolnshire.

*Edit, just checked your profile, you couldn't be further away, apologies! General info for others in that case then.
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Val
World Chat Champion



Joined: 03 Nov 2012
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PostPosted: 14:11 - 07 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
just go there and try:

https://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/stores/aberdeen

They have HJC.

IMO the new Shark helmet looks better:

https://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/skwal-helmets-white.html

Also buying boots online - very bad idea. You need to check the fit.

IMO the best winter option that is proven completely waterproof is
Alpinestars SMX-5 WP or slightly more expensive SMX-6 WP.
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NJD
World Chat Champion



Joined: 11 Mar 2015
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PostPosted: 22:22 - 07 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Val wrote:
https://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/skwal-helmets-white.html


Endless amounts of do not want.

Skwal:

- Visor is flimsy and is hard to open and close, requires you to either push the top of the visor down or use both hands on either side of the visor to get it to fully lock, then once it is requires a very hard push upwards lifting the helmet up a little.

- Visor also can often jump out of the baseplate and come out of place simply opening and closing the visor due to poor design, visor is also a pain in the arse to remove and refit.

- Comfort liner is very uncomfortable and hurts my ears and face when taking it off, I purchased a balaclava and it solved this issue.

- Wind noise is bad.

Again depends what bike you have and the riding positions, I'd chose the HJC RPHA ST over the above (which I also have) that is providing you don't wear glasses as the rpha st is a magnet for steaming them up even when placed inside in the house.
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wednesday
Two Stroke Sniffer



Joined: 19 Oct 2015
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PostPosted: 21:18 - 08 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
Endless amounts of do not want.

Skwal:

- Visor is flimsy and is hard to open and close, requires you to either push the top of the visor down or use both hands on either side of the visor to get it to fully lock, then once it is requires a very hard push upwards lifting the helmet up a little.

- Visor also can often jump out of the baseplate and come out of place simply opening and closing the visor due to poor design, visor is also a pain in the arse to remove and refit.

- Comfort liner is very uncomfortable and hurts my ears and face when taking it off, I purchased a balaclava and it solved this issue.


not got any of these problems with my one, maybe cos its the black one. Go for the black one. Laughing
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Cadbury
Crazy Courier



Joined: 05 Oct 2011
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PostPosted: 22:10 - 08 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
wednesday wrote:
Quote:
Endless amounts of do not want.

Skwal:

- Visor is flimsy and is hard to open and close, requires you to either push the top of the visor down or use both hands on either side of the visor to get it to fully lock, then once it is requires a very hard push upwards lifting the helmet up a little.

- Visor also can often jump out of the baseplate and come out of place simply opening and closing the visor due to poor design, visor is also a pain in the arse to remove and refit.

- Comfort liner is very uncomfortable and hurts my ears and face when taking it off, I purchased a balaclava and it solved this issue.


not got any of these problems with my one, maybe cos its the black one. Go for the black one. Laughing


Me neither. I think the visor on the skwal is much sturdier when compared to my old hjc helmet. Included pinlock is the bees knees too.
Incidentally, mine is also black... Thinking
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Val
World Chat Champion



Joined: 03 Nov 2012
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PostPosted: 23:04 - 08 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
NJD wrote:
Val wrote:
https://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/skwal-helmets-white.html


Endless amounts of do not want.

Skwal:

- Visor is flimsy and is hard to open and close, requires you to either push the top of the visor down or use both hands on either side of the visor to get it to fully lock, then once it is requires a very hard push upwards lifting the helmet up a little.

- Visor also can often jump out of the baseplate and come out of place simply opening and closing the visor due to poor design, visor is also a pain in the arse to remove and refit.


Is there any chance you have not locked in your visor properly when fitting it? I've done that in the past and the symptoms you describe are exactly the same. Just saying...
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Yamaha Fazer FZS 600, MT09, XSR 900
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talkToTheHat
World Chat Champion



Joined: 21 Feb 2012
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PostPosted: 00:30 - 09 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
I really like my shark speed-r. Max pinlock. Doesn't steam up. Visor is pretty tough and not scratched from nearly a years daily use. Visor doesn't ratchet though and is nit everone's cup of tea. I like the cheaper sharks but the sunvisor on the 900 smacks me in the nose.

Girlfriend has an HJC IS17. Also max pinlock. Visor locking mechanism very good. Vents are sturdier than the FG15 i have and easier to use than the IS16 i crashed in which was a bit shit. Can't comment on durability of new visors, i went through a pair of tineted and a pair of clears in 3 years on my fg15, but is17 has different visor. Change mechanism similar though and very easy.

Altberg boots are very waterproof and not covered in plastic carbunkles, pricey but mine have done 4 years of daily use and will probably do another 8. Waterproofing works well, but you do have to give them an occaisonal brush with ledergris unlike more plasticy offerings.
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NJD
World Chat Champion



Joined: 11 Mar 2015
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PostPosted: 01:08 - 09 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Val wrote:
Is there any chance you have not locked in your visor properly when fitting it? I've done that in the past and the symptoms you describe are exactly the same. Just saying...


Could be, after all the skawl does have a "unique" visor mechanism shall we say. The visor is very stiff from new and as I had mine on order was probably even more so than the J&S display specials, above was based on limited usage after buying it.

I do have the black one (matardor?), tiz very nice looking.. although cannot tell if people looking at me at night with LED's on are thinking "oh wowz" or "what a dickhead m8", probably the latter.. but then they're waiting for the bus so who's winning. Laughing
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Marcepan
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 11 Feb 2014
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PostPosted: 00:19 - 10 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Val wrote:
just go there and try:

https://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/stores/aberdeen

They have HJC.



Yeah, I've noticed them couple of days ago, looks like they have really good selection of both helmets and boots - will pop in tomorrow before work.

Won't have much time but I'm planning to check more than one helmet. I've read tonight that HJC is quite noisy so I'm afraid it may also not keep the cold air coming in through vents too well?
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Val
World Chat Champion



Joined: 03 Nov 2012
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PostPosted: 01:04 - 10 Nov 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote
Marcepan wrote:
Val wrote:
just go there and try:

https://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/stores/aberdeen

They have HJC.



Yeah, I've noticed them couple of days ago, looks like they have really good selection of both helmets and boots - will pop in tomorrow before work.

Won't have much time but I'm planning to check more than one helmet. I've read tonight that HJC is quite noisy so I'm afraid it may also not keep the cold air coming in through vents too well?


All helmets are noisy over 60 mph. If you have any motorway riding you need to wear ear plugs: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pairs-Howard-Leight-Laser-Plugs/dp/B0007XJOLG

About vents - I have helmet that does not have too good ventilation Givi Sniper for example - has good insulation not much vents. And my X-lite 702 - plenty of air vents.

When the helmet has good ventilation you are happy that you get fresh air and no misting. But you do not like the cold in the winter and the noise from the vents. Then if helmet does not have too much vents you are happy that its warm in the winter and the noise is low. But you get misting and not enough fresh air.

My point is all helmets have some issues. Find one that at least is a good fit to your head.
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Adrian Monk: Unless I'm wrong, which, you know, I'm not...
Yamaha Fazer FZS 600, MT09, XSR 900
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